Terrapin Depth Charge

In the last couple of years, I have become more familiar with beer. I have been learning about the different styles from the different countries and I have to say that I am more intrigued by American craft beer than any other. Yes, I enjoy the sweet carbonated brews of Belgium and the complicated recipes of the German lagers, but there is just something about American Craft that makes me keep coming back. I believe my interest is the 'do what you want' attitude of American breweries or the fact that I am an American, but whatever the case may be, you are going to see more American craft beers on this blog than any other. I am starting to ramble, but I am setting up the blog for whom ever is reading or will be reading in the future.

Now that I got that out of the way, lets get to the point. Today, I have a bottle of Terrapin Depth Charge that I picked up from Wine World in Panama City Beach a couple of weeks ago. This beer is a Collaboration beer brewed by Terrapin and Left Hand Brewing Company. This is the second brew they have done together and it was released in mid-September. Depth Charge is an espresso milk stout brewed with Jittery Joe's Coffee, which is a Georgia based coffee franchise.

This stout pours a black opaque color with a small amount of thin head that dissipates very fast. The coffee aroma of this stout is outrageously apparent and also has hints of chocolate and roasted malts. As you taste, you immediately taste the sweet lactose that makes this beer a milk stout. The coffee flavors do not overwhelm the beer, which allows the other flavors to be noticed. The very creamy smooth finish makes this beer one to try.

In my opinion, this is one of the best milk stouts I have tasted. I am interested in any and all beers made by Terrapin. They have proven themselves as a consistent brewery that can keep giving great beer.

If you have tasted this beer and would like to comment, please do.

-Jeremy

Brew Thru coming to Panama City in 2010

According to the website, the North Carolina drive thru convenience store chain will be open in 2010. There are not a lot of people in this area familiar with Brew Thru stores, so any information anyone can give would be great. I sent an email asking for more info, maybe I will hear something.

-Jeremy

Terrapin releasing an IPA!

According to their website, Terrapin has an IPA in the tank and will be released soon. Being a pessimist, it is easy to see realistic situations and how the distribution of this beer will take place. Terrapin's website says that it is in the tank now, which tells me, it will finish fermentation and be bottled by the end of the year. After finding shelves all across Georgia, South Carolina and other parts of the south, people in the panhandle will finally start to hear about the new IPA.
Months of wondering where the new brew is will turn into heated discussions about why the panhandle is always last to receive new shipments. Finally, months of waiting we will find it on our shelves in August 2010.

Pessimistic or realistic thinking? You decide.

UPDATE!- Hopsecutioner has recently been bottled and should be on the market any week now. I say everyone goes to their stores and asks for it now.

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest has history of cheer and beer
Panama City News Herald
October 02, 2009 08:00:00 AM

By JEREMY MYERS
PANAMA CITY

As the calendar days tick by there are fewer holidays to celebrate. It is getting closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas is around the corner, but there is one more celebration not on the calendar. The last time I checked, the big holiday in October was Halloween, but in many parts of the world people dress up like Keebler elves, sing German songs and bang their oversized beer mugs together. Sounds fun, huh?

The original Oktoberfest occurred in Munich, Germany on Oct. 18, 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Price Ludwig and Therese of Bavaria. To celebrate their anniversary, a parade was organized in 1835 and the parade has been an annual event since 1850.

After the event grew in size, it underwent some changes. Due to weather, the dates were moved to begin in September and end on the first Sunday in October. Later, to add more entertainment, games were introduced, dance floors were constructed and beer was sold from tents. One has become known as one of the best seasonal beers you can find.

The Oktoberfest beer is really a relative of the Märzen beer. Being that the Märzen is a lager, it ferments at a lower temperature. The Märzen style is a Bavarian beer and has been around for several centuries. Before modern brewing systems, brewers had to use their surroundings to their benefit. The beer that they made was brewed in March and stayed in cold storage through the hot summer months. These brewers would store their beers in caves or manmade cellars to help their beers to ferment crisp and clean. Their Märzen beer was ready to drink by late summer or early fall.

At the current Munich Oktoberfest, there are six breweries that serve Oktoberfest beer and some are available in our area. Paulaner is one of my favorites and I really recommend giving it a taste. Oktoberfest beer is typically a yellow to deep amber color that has a light to medium carbonation. The medium body of this beer is easy to drink and has a malty character. In my opinion, the Oktoberfest beer is a very likeable and enthusiastic beer. There are many Oktoberfest celebrations in the United States and some are closer than you think.

Panama City Oktoberfest is here and there is plenty for all to enjoy. The mayor is usually the honorary keg tapper at the Munich festival and the same tradition is here. The keg tapping will occur at 5 p.m. today and there will be authentic German music, plenty of German food and lots of beer.

So when you hit Harrison Avenue this weekend for your Oktoberfest celebration, be sure to find a real Oktoberfest beer.